Niklas Zennström
Niklas Zennström | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 16, 1966 Sweden |
| Occupation(s) | Business innovator, technology investor, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Known for | Co-founder of Skype Technologies, founder of Atomico, co-founder of Zennström Philanthropies |
| Spouse | Catherine Zennström |
Niklas Zennström (born 16 February 1966) is a Swedish business innovator and investor in technology ventures. He is also the co-founder of the philanthropic organization Zennström Philanthropies.
Education
Zennström completed his secondary education at Katedralskolan, Uppsala and holds dual academic qualifications: a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Engineering Physics from Uppsala University. He spent his final academic year at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Career
Starting his professional journey in 1991, Zennström worked at European telecommunications provider Tele2. He subsequently led business development for the internet service provider get2net and held the CEO position at everyday.com.
In 2000, together with Janus Friis, he launched Kazaa, a peer-to-peer file sharing platform that became the most downloaded software globally by 2003. Following legal disputes initiated by the US entertainment sectors, Kazaa was eventually sold to Sharman Networks.
Zennström went on to establish Joltid, a company specializing in peer-to-peer technology and network traffic optimization, and co-founded Altnet, another peer-to-peer network enterprise.
He gained widespread recognition as the founder of Skype Technologies. In October 2005, eBay acquired Skype for €2.1 billion ($2.6 billion), with potential additional incentives reaching €1.2 billion based on performance milestones. Zennström remained as Skype’s CEO until September 2007. That same year, he introduced the online video platform Joost.
In 2009, Zennström joined an investment consortium that bought back Skype from eBay and resumed his role on its board. In May 2011, Microsoft purchased Skype for $8.5 billion, reportedly resulting in earnings of approximately $1 billion each for Zennström and Friis.
In November 2014, he was honored with induction into SUP46's Swedish Startup Hall of Fame.
He founded and previously chaired the European Tech Alliance (EUTA), an organization dedicated to advancing Europe’s technology sector.
Currently, Zennström leads Atomico, a venture capital firm headquartered in London that primarily funds technology enterprises. Through Atomico, he has invested in over 200 global companies, including notable names such as Supercell, Rovio, Last.fm, Klarna, and Skype.
Philanthropy
Together with his wife Catherine, Zennström established Zennström Philanthropies, which supports projects addressing climate change and fostering social entrepreneurship.
Honors and awards
In 2006, Time Magazine recognized Zennström as one of the 100 Most Influential People worldwide. That same year, he received multiple accolades for innovation and entrepreneurship, including being named Entrepreneur of the Year at the European Business Leaders Awards (EBLA).
The KTH Royal Institute of Technology presented him with the KTH Great Prize in 2009 for exceptional entrepreneurial achievement and technological expertise. In 2011, Oxford University's Oxford Internet Institute bestowed upon him a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Zennström was awarded H. M. The King's Medal in 2013 in recognition of his significant impact on Swedish industry and society. Later that year, the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) honored him with their gold medal for his accomplishments in entrepreneurship, innovation, technical proficiency, and leadership.
Personal life
Zennström is married to Catherine Zennström. A dedicated yachtsman, he has both constructed and competed with yachts in the TP 52 category, demonstrating his enthusiasm for high-level sailing.